The 1961 photo caption read: The first two of six supporting columns for the World's Fair Space Needle are shown being connected to the needle's center core, 100 feet from the base. The 50-ton legs are 90 feet long and are connected to the core by 30-foot crossbars. The Spce Needle will rise 600 feet and will feature a revolving restaurant at the top. less

The 1961 photo caption read: The first two of six supporting columns for the World's Fair Space Needle are shown being connected to the needle's center core, 100 feet from the base. The 50-ton legs are 90 feet ... more

Photo: P-I File

The 1961 photo caption read: The first two of six supporting... Photo-775595.6830 - seattlepi.com

The April 1963 photo caption read: Space Needle Restaurant employees celebrated the first anniversary of the Seattle World's Fair Sunday night with a party for all 85 who have worked there since April 21, 1962.

The April 1963 photo caption read: Space Needle Restaurant employees celebrated the first anniversary of the Seattle World's Fair Sunday night with a party for all 85 who have worked there since April 21, 1962.

Senator Warren G. Magnuson and Postmaster General of the United States J. Edward Day mailed the first letter from the Space Needle post office, April 25, 1962. The letter was to President John F. Kennedy, asking him to come to the World's Fair. Kennedy was scheduled to visit later in 1962, but canceled saying he had a cold. It was later revealed he was dealing with the Cuban Missile Crisis. less

Senator Warren G. Magnuson and Postmaster General of the United States J. Edward Day mailed the first letter from the Space Needle post office, April 25, 1962. The letter was to President John F. Kennedy, ... more

Photo: P-I File

Senator Warren G. Magnuson and Postmaster General of the United... Photo-775709.6830 - seattlepi.com

Image 16 of 98

The Space Needle had a post office, which was dedicated April 25, 1962, the day this photo was taken.

The Space Needle had a post office, which was dedicated April 25, 1962, the day this photo was taken.

Photo: P-I File

The Space Needle had a post office, which was dedicated April 25,... Photo-775700.6830 - seattlepi.com

Image 17 of 98

The restaurant at the top of the Space Needle, April 3, 1962.

The restaurant at the top of the Space Needle, April 3, 1962.

Photo: P-I File

The restaurant at the top of the Space Needle, April 3, 1962. Photo-775878.6830 - seattlepi.com

The 1961 caption read: This unusual view of the World's Fair Space Needle was shot by Post-Intelligencer photographer John Vallentyne from a Seattle Police helicopter piloted by Patrolman Gordon D. Grosvenor. Thick ring in center is ring girder to hold out-rigger brackets that will wupport observation platform. Lattice-like sections in foreground are sections of restaurant turntable which will make one revolution an hour. On ground (bottom of picture, right) are monorail beams on which trains will ride. less

The 1961 caption read: This unusual view of the World's Fair Space Needle was shot by Post-Intelligencer photographer John Vallentyne from a Seattle Police helicopter piloted by Patrolman Gordon D. Grosvenor. ... more

The November 1981 photo caption read: An anxious passenger peers from the Space Needle's stuck elevator as six adults and two children awaited rescue after an electrical cable snapped in the wind, trapping the people 130 feet above the ground for an hour. less

The November 1981 photo caption read: An anxious passenger peers from the Space Needle's stuck elevator as six adults and two children awaited rescue after an electrical cable snapped in the wind, trapping the ... more

The December 1974 photo caption read: How long will the Space Needle stand? Practically forever, according to an engineer with the design firm. The 13-year-old tower, which has become a symbol of Seattle all over the world, weighs more underground than it does in the 600 feet which you see soaring skyward, up to and including the famous revolving restaurant. (Grant M. Haller/Seattlepi.com file) less

The December 1974 photo caption read: How long will the Space Needle stand? Practically forever, according to an engineer with the design firm. The 13-year-old tower, which has become a symbol of Seattle all ... more

Photo: P-I File

The December 1974 photo caption read: How long will the Space... Photo-775641.6830 - seattlepi.com

Image 34 of 98

The 1977 caption for this concept drawing read: The new cocktail lounge-restaurant at the Space Needle would be located 100 feet above ground level at the first constructional horizontal level. The level was added in 1982. less

The 1977 caption for this concept drawing read: The new cocktail lounge-restaurant at the Space Needle would be located 100 feet above ground level at the first constructional horizontal level. The level was ... more

Photo: P-I File

The 1977 caption for this concept drawing read: The new cocktail... Photo-775642.6830 - seattlepi.com

Image 35 of 98

The Space Needle, Oct. 18, 1964. The marks on the photo were made by Seattle P-I photo editors.

The Space Needle, Oct. 18, 1964. The marks on the photo were made by Seattle P-I photo editors.

Photo: P-I File

The Space Needle, Oct. 18, 1964. The marks on the photo were made... Photo-775644.6830 - seattlepi.com

Image 36 of 98

The December 1990 photo caption read: The Space Needle is the site of a giant "Times Square of the West" party New Years Eve.

The December 1990 photo caption read: The Space Needle is the site of a giant "Times Square of the West" party New Years Eve.

Photo: P-I File

The December 1990 photo caption read: The Space Needle is the site... Photo-775646.6830 - seattlepi.com

Image 37 of 98

The Space Needle, September 1984.

The Space Needle, September 1984.

Photo: P-I File

The Space Needle, September 1984. Photo-775648.6830 - seattlepi.com

Image 38 of 98

Famous mountaineer Nawang Gombu and Jim Whittaker, the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest, on top of the Space Needle, Aug. 16, 1963.

Famous mountaineer Nawang Gombu and Jim Whittaker, the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest, on top of the Space Needle, Aug. 16, 1963.

The July 1976 photo caption read: James Woodward, a member of the Freedom Exhibition Parachute Team, floated around the Space Needle yesterday in a specially designed chute allowing him to ease down 3,000 feet hang-glider style. (Grant M. Haller/Seattlepi.com file) less

The July 1976 photo caption read: James Woodward, a member of the Freedom Exhibition Parachute Team, floated around the Space Needle yesterday in a specially designed chute allowing him to ease down 3,000 feet ... more

Photo: P-I File

The July 1976 photo caption read: James Woodward, a member of the... Photo-775685.6830 - seattlepi.com

The February 1992 photo caption read: Visitors to the Space Needle yesterday gathered on the observation deck to watch the sun set over the Olympic Mountains. In the process, they missed another cosmic event - the moon rising behind them. (Grant M. Haller/Seattlepi.com file) less

The February 1992 photo caption read: Visitors to the Space Needle yesterday gathered on the observation deck to watch the sun set over the Olympic Mountains. In the process, they missed another cosmic event - ... more

The January 1982 photo caption read: Standing over Seattle in the fog and snow like a hovering spaceship, the top of the Space Needle is decked out with eerie lighting as the centerpiece for the fifth annual Science Fiction Expo. The event runs through January 31 and will feature various exhibits, models, costumes and lectures - all out of this world. less

The January 1982 photo caption read: Standing over Seattle in the fog and snow like a hovering spaceship, the top of the Space Needle is decked out with eerie lighting as the centerpiece for the fifth annual ... more

The October 1987 photo caption read: A 70-foot tall, 2,900 lb gorilla was recently installed atop the Space Needle. The inflatable gorilla was first introduced to the world in 1983 when it was displayed on top of the Empire State Building in New York City. less

The October 1987 photo caption read: A 70-foot tall, 2,900 lb gorilla was recently installed atop the Space Needle. The inflatable gorilla was first introduced to the world in 1983 when it was displayed on top ... more

The October 1985 photo caption read: Go fishing from the observation deck of the Space Needle this month and you may just catch a crab - a giant King Crab, dangling 425 feet above the ground. The 50-foot-wide inflatable crab is made of vinyl-coated nylon and is suspended from one-inch steel cables. It was put there as a publicity stunt by sponsors of Fish and Seafood Month. less

The October 1985 photo caption read: Go fishing from the observation deck of the Space Needle this month and you may just catch a crab - a giant King Crab, dangling 425 feet above the ground. The 50-foot-wide ... more

The October 1964 photo caption read: Space Needle representatives on world tour to visit other towers with restaurants prepare to leave for airport from Seattle Center in helicopter. Left to right are Hoge Sullivan, Space Needle manager; Judy Saunders, Needle restaurant hostess, and Frosty Fowler, KING announcer who broadcasts from the Needle. less

The October 1964 photo caption read: Space Needle representatives on world tour to visit other towers with restaurants prepare to leave for airport from Seattle Center in helicopter. Left to right are Hoge ... more

Matt Henry, left, and Matthew Waskiewicz, rope access technicians with Skala, lower themselves after using heated, high-pressure water to clean the surface of the Space Needle. The structure hadn't been cleaned with such tooks since its 1962 opening. less

Matt Henry, left, and Matthew Waskiewicz, rope access technicians with Skala, lower themselves after using heated, high-pressure water to clean the surface of the Space Needle. The structure hadn't been cleaned ... more

The Oct. 27, 2004 photo caption read: The western half of the moon is fully within the earth's shadow as it moves across the sky from northeast to southeast over Seattle. This partial eclipse was taken from under the Space Needle. less

The Oct. 27, 2004 photo caption read: The western half of the moon is fully within the earth's shadow as it moves across the sky from northeast to southeast over Seattle. This partial eclipse was taken from ... more

Photo: P-I File

The Oct. 27, 2004 photo caption read: The western half of the moon... Photo-775615.6830 - seattlepi.com

Image 81 of 98

The P-I and Space Needle seen on Oct. 9, 2006. (Joshua Trujillo/Seattlepi.com file)

The P-I and Space Needle seen on Oct. 9, 2006. (Joshua Trujillo/Seattlepi.com file)